Vacheron Constantin has announced a collaboration with Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo to launch the inaugural Concours d’Élégance Horlogère, officially bringing the classic Concours format, traditionally associated with vintage cars, into the realm of high-end watchmaking. This global watch competition is dedicated to celebrating historical pieces from the brand, reflecting on an uninterrupted watchmaking legacy that dates back to 1755, while also providing a profound platform for collectors and scholars to engage deeply with one another.
The competition is open for global collectors to register, with eligibility clearly limited to Vacheron Constantin pocket watches and wristwatches produced between 1755 and 1999, covering an impressive span of 244 years that nearly encompasses the entire history of the brand’s creation. Quartz watches, clocks, and those that have undergone significant modifications are not eligible, ensuring that each competing timepiece faithfully reflects its original craftsmanship and historical condition.
The judging criteria go beyond simply comparing the complexity of watch movements; they employ a multi-dimensional framework that includes authenticity, elegant proportions, rarity, the impact on the brand or the history of watchmaking as a whole, craftsmanship, artistic skill, condition, and emotional value. This evaluation approach transforms each watch from merely a technical piece into a storied vessel of time that can be read and passed down through generations.
The competition features seven major categories, with each entry allowed to participate in only one group. The Chiming Mechanism category includes time structures such as chiming, minute repeaters, half-quarter repeaters, and Grande Sonnerie; the Chronographs focus on dual or triple register timing, single button, and flyback designs; while Astronomical Complications concentrate on triple calendars, complete calendars, and perpetual calendars for astronomical displays.
Multiple Complications requires that the work incorporate at least two complex functions, such as a tourbillon with a chronograph or time display mechanism. The Chronomètre Royal category has been exclusively awarded the official Royal Chronometer title since 1907. The Métiers d’Art celebrates decorative crafts such as carving, enameling, gem setting, and relief engraving, but does not include openwork designs. The Design category focuses on iconic aesthetics and display methods, like retrograde, jumping hours, and world time structures.
The jury is co-chaired by Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant at Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, and Christian Selmoni, Style and Heritage Director at Vacheron Constantin. Its members encompass a diverse range of experts including watchmakers, historians, media personalities, and seasoned collectors, such as Yasmine AlShathry, Felix Baumgartner, Benjamin Clymer, Helmut Crott, Nicholas Foulkes, Wei Koh, Auro Montanari, Roberta Naas, and Jia Xian Su, among others. This diverse background enhances the evaluation process, placing importance on technical details while also considering cultural context.
The registration period runs from now until April 30, and applications can be submitted through the official Vacheron Constantin website or at brand boutiques. The awards ceremony will take place on November 10, 2026, in Geneva, immediately following Phillips’ autumn auction. All awards will be trophies only, with no cash prizes, emphasizing that the essence of the competition lies in honor and historical significance rather than market value.
For more details and registration methods, please visit the official page:
https://www.vacheron-constantin.com/hk/en/maison/concours-elegance-horlogere.html
